28-Nov-08: Abu Dhabi and Bahrain Team Up to Increase Spectators
You’re listening to F1 Minute for the 28th November 2008.
Organisers of the Bahrain and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix have joined forces to share their knowledge and try and expand their events. The Bahrain International Circuit and Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management have agreed a deal, and the chairman said: “There are many projects on which we can work to attract more spectators, corporate clients and sponsors to the region’s two races.”
Fisichella has spoken about the rumours he may be replaced at Force India, insisting that he has faith in his employers. He said: “I originally signed a two-year contract which was reviewed in September to incorporate the McLaren deal. In a few words, the team offered me a better car and a different package.” He said he already knew Pedro would be in the car for a test, and finds the speculation uninteresting.
Finally, it’s not really F1 news, but ex-driver Tiago Monteiro’s company has bought a GP2 team, moving him into the field of management, and being the first Portuguese team in the series.
That’s it for today, have a great weekend and I’ll be back on Monday for another F1 Minute.
Quotes Roundup - Week Ending 16th Nov
November 16, 2008 by Christine
Filed under Weekly Quotes
The very best from the mouths of those in the know.
The Force India / McLaren Partnership
On what that deal means for the team, and the sport…
- “Force India Formula One team has been in existence for only one year, and inevitably our first season has constituted a learning period. But we said at the outset that we meant business and were not interested in merely making up the numbers.” Dr. Vijay Mallya
- “I would love to see a Force India car on the podium in the inaugural Indian grand Prix. Obviously that has to be a core objective as well. Now that is in 2011 and I say why not? I’m sure Martin would love to see a Force India and a McLaren racing each other” Dr. Vijay Mallya
- “We are going to learn lessons by looking over the shoulder of Force India. I believe that we will become stronger as a consequence of this. I would not have gone into this partnership unless I believed it was going to help us to win world championships in the future.” Martin Whitmarsh
Ongoing Circuit News
Canada and China both worry about the future, Singapore doesn’t…
- “We’re doing the assessment. By next year we should be able to give you an answer. We want to create a win-win situation, for our side and for Bernie and the F1 organisers as well. If this is something we can do, and our cooperation is very happy and smooth, we will consider it.” Qiu Weichang, deputy director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports
- “We need to know if we’re going to have a Grand Prix in 2009. We’re trying to find a proposal that will meet with the approval of Bernie Ecclestone and his board of directors. He’s not interested in where the money’s going to come from, he just wants to get the money to which he thinks he’s entitled.” Gerald Tremblay, Montreal Mayor
- “We have received a great many compliments from around the world since the running of the race in September, but this is an award given by our peers, the professionals who work in motor sports. It therefore is especially gratifying to receive this award.” Jonathan Hallett, Singapore GP’s media director
Upcoming Test Drivers
We’re going to see a few new names on the timesheets in Barcelona…
- “Going back to Enstone will be very special for me. I often used to go and train there when I was on the Renault Driver Development programme. So I’ll be seeing people I already know. That will help me to integrate into the team more easily.” Giedo van der Garde
- “To have this opportunity is a dream. Even though I’ve been racing for only four years, it’s as if I’ve waited for ten years to drive an F1 car. I’ve worked hard in preparing for it, on the neck particularly. GP2 in any case is a good basis.” Bruno Senna
- “I don’t expect Barcelona to be easy at all: it’s the first time that I will be testing against the regular drivers in Formula One, so that’s obviously going to be interesting!” Sebastien Loeb
04-Sep-08: New Single Wet Weather Tyre to be Tested
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 4th September 2008.
There’s more Bridgestone news today as they’ve revealed they are looking at revamping the Formula 1 wet weather tyres. At the moment, there are two types, extreme wet and intermediate, and Bridgestone want to reduce this to just one. They’ve done it successfully in GP2, and although the F1 regulations don’t allow it yet, Bridgestone are planning to try out their new compound at the next wet test.
Talking of testing, Red Bull have confirmed that Sebastian Vettel will be hopping into their car at Jerez this month – the first time since he was signed up for 2009. It will be for two days to give him a taster of the team and the machinery he will be running with next season.
Finally today, Nick Heidfeld has said he is perfectly aware of the pressure on him to retain his seat at BMW, but says he puts the pressure on himself as well: “It is pretty clear that if one car finishes on the podium and I finish ninth then nobody needs to tell me anything.”
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
13-May-08: Turkey Could Face Sanction Over Dog Invasion
This is F1 Minute and today is the 13th May.
The FIA have confirmed that the Turkish circuit could face sanction after two dogs got onto the track during the GP2 race this weekend. A spokesman said: “This was a serious lapse in circuit security and safety. How could such a thing happen at an almost brand new Formula One track?” He went on to say that the Safety Commission will investigate and sanctions can’t be ruled out.
Elsewhere today, Force India principal Colin Kolles has said that the independent teams in F1 can still do well, and that Super Aguri failed because of the lack of a business model and not because smaller teams have no place in F1’s future. He said: “You can find investors and shareholders if you have the right business model, a clean sheet, and you have a clean company.”
And finally, in sponsor news, AMD are not going to renew their contract with Ferrari, and Lewis Hamilton is apparently interested in a $20 million sponsorship deal with sportswear brand Reebok.
Thanks for listening, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
11-May-08: Massa Takes Victory in Turkey
This is F1 Minute for the 11th May 2008.
The Turkish Grand Prix played out exactly as Felipe Massa would have hoped, with a lights to flag victory for him. It wasn’t all easy though, as at one point Lewis Hamilton overtook the Ferrari and flew off into the distance. However, Hamilton was running a three stop strategy, due to some problems with the soft tyres. Controversially, Hamilton appears to blame Bridgestone for the problem, whilst Bridgestone appear to be saying it’s something in the way Hamilton drives.
Elsewhere today, the circuit came under scrutiny, as some wild dogs managed to get onto the tarmac during the GP2 race, causing havoc and ending Bruno Senna’s race. Charlie Whiting is writing to the FIA about the security breach at the Istanbul Park Circuit. It’s even more embarrassing because this is the track that Bernie owns.
Back to the race though, there were only three retirements, Fisichella, Nakajima and Bourdais, whilst Massa was joined on the podium by Raikkonen and Hamilton.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.